Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-07-27
Misfellaaeol1s 8eading.
ARIZONA REPTILES.

ARIZONA REPTILES.
Arizona, says the Cleveland Plain
Dealer, is about the worst place in
the United States for people who are
at all timid in regard to venomous
reptiles, which are to be met with
upon all sides here. But native,
or people who have been in the Ter
ritory short time, soon become ac-
customed to these trifies. A few
years ago the breath of the "Gila
monster" was supposed to be very
poisonous. This saurian, a species of
the lizard tribe, is from fifteen inch
es to two feet in length, is covered
with scales, and looks not unlike
young alligator. 1t is Of reddish
brown color, and when sitting on
rock emitting a greenish, frothy
slime, which comes from its mouth
with a sound of a miniature steam
engine, it certainly looks fiendish
enough to frighten a tenderfoot.
However. this bravado, and at heart
perfectly harmless braggadocio man
.ner, ,.isquite as characteristic OF many
of the human inhabitants rs the
abused, harmless "Gila monster"
and a cowboy should be treated in
much the same manner as this lizard.
Show him that you are not afraid of
him and his clustering will die away
in smoke, like the "Gila monsters"
venom. There are many species Of
smaller Lizards abounding upon the
sandy "mesas," and one can hardly
move bit Of rock without disturb
ing the siesta of one or more Of these
bright-eyed, inoffensive little crea-
lures, but which would seem to prove
themselves descendants of "Eve,"
for more curious bits of animal life
were never known. Thus curiosity
will overcome their natural fears,
for while writing upon a large rock
two or three came out and ventured
clear up to the paper, tasted an en-
velope, and upon being frightened
away soon returned to pursue their
Investigations, which, could a per-
son keep quiet enough, would be
carried to rather obnoxious extent.
The horned toad is another little
animal which seems to have fond
ness for human company, and many
ofthem make their home under porch
es and steps. They much resem-
BILE a large lizard, save that around
their necks is number of sharp,
projecting horns, about half an inch
long, and the same distance apart,
and which gives to them most fe-
rocious look. They are of dark
stone color, and perfectly harmless.
There are quite good many cent?
pedes, which, however, it is well to
inspect from distance. Upon see
ing the first one running across a
room, a person is ready to take his
oath that the reptile is not less than
three feet in length, but which, upon
actual measurement, would probably
be about nine inches, as that is the
average length. They are sort of
transparent brown, and have two
rows of legs the entire length of the
body. They are put together in Sec
tions, and look like the hundred
legged worms often found in Ohio
around rotten wood or under old
boards. 1t is not the bite of the Gen.
tipede that is so poisonous, but each
end of his numerous claws that con-
tains the venom, and when fright
ened or an attempt is made to brush
him off, every claw is fastened into
the flesh, and the poison discharged.
The only way when one gets on to
any portion of the flesh, is to keep
perfectly quiet until the visitor walks
off of his own account. This, hoWev-
er, is a by no means easy thing to
do, as one at a first impulse is very
apt tc make decided endeavor to
remove the offender. This poison is
never known to prove fatal, but pro-
duces an intense irritation, and which
will affect the whole system in the
same manner as the bite of rattle
snake.
Tarantulas are to be found quite
plenty in the mountains, and when
camping out our party had frequent
ly to shoot a number in order to clear
a spot on which to spread their blan-
kets. This may seem small game
for shooting, but mans revolver is
his handiest weapon in this country.
These tarantulas look like huge spi-
ders, with legs about two inches long
and covered with long, black hair.
It is not safe to get too near one OF
these creatures, as they are capable of
springing into the air several feet,
and apt to alight too near one for
personal comfort; yet, if left alone,
they will never molest one. But
they are furious warriors among
themselves, often fighting one anoth-
er for several days. Their bite is
poisonous but not dangerously so.
Scorpions are found quite plenty
around the foothills, and their sting
is very painful. They resemble a
monstrous flea, and are very fond of
crawling into beds. Many people,
newcomers especially, are in the hab-
it of making a thorough examina-
ton of their couch before retiring,
not caring to receive the warm re-
ception which would be awarded
them by these small intruders.
There is small insect about the
size of a flea, dark-brown cclor and
without wings, which lives in the
sand, and is said to be the most pois-
onous of anything here. 1t is called
an "Indian killer" that being the
only name for it that can be learned.
1t, however, is almost unknown,
and after a residence of several
months I have seen but one, and
that dead one. 1t is hoped the
fear of it will not prevent immigra-
ton any more than the earthquake,
which in this little town, only lasted
about twenty seconds, but stopped
several clocks and frightened the in
habitants, but otherwise did no ma
terial damage.
PATMos.-The great remedy for
the evil eye on Patmos is to 70
and cut off the end of the girdle
of this unenviable characteristic.
This must be burned in an incense
burner, and be waved before the
person or the object which has suf-
fered, and then by throwing three
carnation leaves into the fire, it can
be seen whether the charm has been
effectual or not. If the leaves crackle
it is sign of healing, and some one
must spit thrice on the person or thing
saving, as he does so, "Uncharm-
ed!" But if the leaves refuse to
crackle it is best to 60 to the monas-
tery at once and secure a monk to
oo,na opd road a Dravpr to avert the